Levi: Arctic Ice Floating Adventure

Floating in icy water sounds like a stunt until you see the suit. Then it becomes a slow, quiet way to experience Lapland. Your waterproof Arctic suit keeps you on the surface and warm, while the frozen forest gives you a rare kind of silence. I especially like the calm pace and the simple ritual afterward: coffee or tea heated over an open fire.

The main catch is the journey. The floating site is about 45 minutes from Levi each way, so the three-hour outing includes a fair amount of transport and preparation. You also need at least two adults for the activity to run, and children must be at least 120 centimeters tall.

Key points to know before you book

• You float in a special waterproof suit: No swimming skills are needed, and the suit keeps you on the surface.
• The setting is quiet Arctic nature: Expect winter forest, clean air, and a peaceful stretch of water rather than a busy attraction.
• The transfer takes about 45 minutes each way: Meet at the Safartica office in central Levi 10 minutes before departure.
• Guides offer close support: Mattais and other English-speaking guides provide instructions, help in the water, and take photos.
• Hot drinks follow the float: Coffee or tea is warmed over an open fire, with some sessions also including marshmallows and cookies.
• Thin gloves are the smart choice: Thick ski gloves may not fit inside the dry suit, and hand warmers can help keep fingers comfortable.

Why Arctic floating feels so different

The appeal is not speed, thrills, or a long list of activities. It is the odd contrast of lying in cold water while your body stays protected from the elements. You look around at winter forest, hear very little, and let the water carry your weight.

That makes this a good fit if you want a change from snowmobiles, husky rides, and fast outdoor excursions. I like that the activity gives you time to notice the cold-season setting instead of rushing through it. The experience asks very little of you physically once you are safely in the water.

You do not need to know how to swim. Before you enter, the guide explains what to do, and the suit keeps you afloat. That removes the biggest source of worry for many people. You still need to be comfortable stepping into cold outdoor conditions and wearing a bulky protective suit, but this is not a swimming lesson or a test of strength.

The setting also matters. The attraction is not only the floating itself. The quiet forest, open air, and pause from a busy holiday schedule make the outing feel restful. If you want constant action, this may seem too slow. If your ideal afternoon includes a warm drink and a little silence, it makes good sense.

From central Levi to the floating site

Your meeting point is the Safartica office in Levi city center. Plan to arrive 10 minutes before the activity starts. If you are staying within 10 kilometers and need help reaching the office, you must contact the operator at least 48 hours in advance to request pickup.

The transfer to the floating area takes about 45 minutes each way. That is important when you plan your day. A three-hour booking is not three full hours beside the water. It includes the ride, changing, instructions, the float, and time to warm up afterward.

The ride is part of the practical cost of reaching a quieter natural setting outside Levi. You are not simply walking to a pool in town. The location is chosen for its winter surroundings, and the distance helps explain why this activity takes half a day once you include getting ready and returning.

You should also check the start time carefully. Available times vary, and daylight conditions can change across the season. The information provided does not promise a particular time of day or guaranteed views of the northern lights, so book this for the floating experience itself, not for a specific sky show.

Getting dressed in the Arctic suit

At the venue, you receive winter clothing and a specially designed water suit. The suit is the key piece of equipment. It is waterproof, keeps you on the surface, and protects your body from the cold water.

The fitting deserves patience. One useful tip is to bring thin gloves rather than thick ski gloves. A heavy pair may not fit comfortably inside the dry suit. Your hands can also cool faster than the rest of your body, so hand warmers are worth considering.

You will get instructions before stepping into the water. The guides explain how to enter and how to position yourself once you are floating. This guidance is especially useful if you feel nervous at first. An eight-year-old child completed the activity after initial hesitation, with help from the guides, but the minimum height is 120 centimeters.

The activity is not suitable for anyone under that height. The supplied information does not list a separate age minimum, so height is the practical rule to check when booking for children. At least two adults are also required for the session to take place.

The float itself: quiet, strange, and relaxing

Once you are in the water, the suit does most of the work. You do not need to swim to stay up. You can relax on the surface, breathe the cold air, and let the water support you.

This is where the outing earns its place in a Lapland itinerary. The experience is unusual without being hard to understand. You are not watching Arctic nature from a bus window or racing across snow. You are placed right in the middle of a quiet outdoor setting, with very little to do except notice how calm it feels.

The forest around the water adds to the mood. The activity information describes pure nature and winter Arctic woods, while the photographs mentioned by guests suggest a picture-friendly setting. Still, the exact view depends on the chosen venue and conditions on the day. You should expect winter scenery, not a guaranteed postcard composition.

The guides remain important during this part. Mattais was singled out for making the experience better, while the guide at the site provided instructions and help in the water. That division makes sense: one guide can help with the transfer and overall outing, while the venue guide focuses on safe entry and floating.

Photos are another useful touch. The guides take pictures, and one session even included a small photo session. You can enjoy the activity without trying to hold a phone in a waterproof suit. Ask the guide about photos on the day, since the amount and style of photography can vary.

Warming up beside the open fire

After the water, hot coffee or tea is prepared over an open fire. This is a small part of the outing, but it gives the experience a satisfying shape. You move from cold air and water to warmth, a hot drink, and a chance to talk through what you have just done.

The basic inclusion is hot drinks. Food is not included, so do not count on a meal. Some sessions have also offered marshmallows and cookies, but those extras should not be treated as guaranteed parts of every departure.

I like the fire because it fits the setting better than a rushed return to a heated vehicle. It gives you a simple outdoor moment and helps the activity feel connected to Lapland rather than built around a standard indoor facility. If you need a full snack after the float, eat beforehand or plan food later in Levi.

How the price measures up at $147

At $147 per person, this is not a budget add-on. The value depends on what you want from your Lapland day.

The price covers winter clothing, the ice floating activity, an English-speaking guide, and hot drinks. It also includes the organized transfer to and from the floating venue when pickup arrangements apply. You are paying for equipment, supervision, transport, and access to an activity that would be difficult to arrange on your own.

The strongest value is for someone who has already done the classic fast-paced Arctic outings and wants something slower and more unusual. It also works well if you care about a memorable setting and guided help more than a long list of included food or entertainment.

The value is weaker if you expect three hours of uninterrupted time in the water. With 45 minutes each way, preparation and transport take a meaningful share of the booking. You should also remember that food is not included, and the activity depends on at least two adults booking.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start gives you some flexibility, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your plans in Levi are still moving around, though you should still check the exact conditions shown at booking.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend the experience to couples, families with children over 120 centimeters, and anyone who wants a calm break between more active excursions. It is particularly suitable for first-time floaters because the suit keeps you on the surface and the guide gives instructions before you enter.

The activity also suits people who dislike crowded entertainment. The central idea is quiet outdoor time. You get a chance to slow down, and the setting does much of the work.

Families should prepare children for the odd sensation of putting on a large water suit and entering cold water. Nervousness at the start is normal. The guides have helped hesitant children settle in, but every child reacts differently, and the height rule is firm.

I would think twice if you dislike changing into bulky outdoor clothing, have very limited time in Levi, or want an energetic activity. The float is relaxing, not demanding. That is its strength, but it is also the reason some people may find it too gentle.

Useful planning tips for your Levi day

Wear or pack thin gloves. This is the most specific clothing advice available, and it solves a real problem because thick gloves may not fit inside the suit. Hand warmers can also help your fingers stay comfortable.

Arrive at the Safartica office 10 minutes early. If you require pickup to the office within the 10-kilometer area, arrange it at least 48 hours in advance. The office is in central Levi, so it is the stated meeting point for people staying in town.

Build the transfer into your day. Allow more than three hours for the complete outing if you need time before or after the activity. The ride is about 45 minutes each way, and the float includes changing, safety instructions, and the fire-side drink.

Eat before or after if you need something substantial. Coffee and tea are included, but food is not. Marshmallows and cookies may appear during the warm-up, but they are not listed as standard inclusions.

Keep your expectations clear. You are booking a guided float in winter nature. You are not booking swimming, a meal, a northern-lights guarantee, or a high-speed Arctic ride.

Should you book the Arctic Ice Floating Adventure?

Book it if you want one distinctive, peaceful memory from Levi and like the idea of floating without needing swimming skills. The waterproof suit, close guide support, fire-heated drinks, and forest setting make the activity easy to approach, even if you feel unsure at first.

Skip it if you want maximum time in the water, dislike long transfers, or prefer action from start to finish. At $147, the price makes the most sense when you value the unusual setting and the careful organization.

For many visitors, this is the kind of activity that breaks up a busy Lapland schedule. You trade speed for silence, then warm up beside a fire. That is a fair exchange if quiet Arctic time is what you came to Finland to find.

FAQ

Where does the Arctic Ice Floating Adventure meet?

The main meeting point is the Safartica office in Levi city center. You should arrive 10 minutes before the activity begins.

Is pickup available from my accommodation?

Pickup to the Safartica office is available within a 10-kilometer radius, but you must contact the operator at least 48 hours in advance to request it.

How long does the activity last?

The scheduled duration is three hours. The transfer from Levi to the floating venue takes about 45 minutes each way.

Do I need to know how to swim?

No. The special suit keeps you on the surface, and the guide gives instructions before you enter the water.

What is the minimum height?

Participants must be at least 120 centimeters tall. Anyone under that height cannot take part.

What is included in the price?

Winter clothing, ice floating with an English-speaking guide, and hot drinks are included. Food is not included.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.